This blog was started on the 1st of May 2007 and aims to provide information about the birds of Islay.

Friday, 22 May 2015

Friday 22nd May

A not bad day today, once the mist had lifted of the crag... the morning flight from Glasgow was delayed, in fact not sure whether it came or not....
The Bowland birders yesterday had a walk round Loch Skerrols where they had a good cross section of birds, Dabchick, Mute Swan, Mallard, Heron, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Wren, Buzzard, Robin, Common Sandpiper, LBB Gull, Song Thrush, Starling, Blackbird, Goldcrest and Goldfinch. James reported through to say that there are still 4 Barnies at Gruinart. Mary had led the guided walk at Gruinart yesterday and had seen the following birds, a group of 6 Whoopers were seen on the flats, out in front of the hide a pair of Tufted Ducks were present as were 20 Blackwits. Along the Woodland trail, a Cuckoo was calling away, fledgling Greenfinches and Chaffinches were seen, a Treecreeper was feeding its' young on the nest, a Starling was seen at its' nest, a Goldcrest seen, a Whitethroat heard, while from the viewing platform the Swallows and Martins gave a superb aerial display as they swooped down low over the floods as they preyed on the insects present. A great walk by all accounts. Yesterday evening, Bob had a mixed group of around 400 Common and Black headed Gulls as they were fishing on the surface fish on Loch Indaal off Bruichladdich Pier. Here this evening, one of the hen Pheasants came to door and proudly presented her brood of 7 young....